Therapy: At times, clinically I was aware of the process, but applying it to myself, I could be clueless. My journey leads to this anonymous place where I can tell of my life of abuse and trauma primarily through my past journals, current commentary, some current journaling and posts on specific issues I face. I hope to increase awareness & compassion for those of us with mental illness.

Fragmentation: a mental process where a person becomes intensely emotionally focused on one aspect of themselves, such as “I am angry” or “no one loves me,” to the point where all thoughts, feelings and behavior demonstrate this emotional state, in which, the person does not or is unable to take into account the reality of their environment, others or themselves and their resources. This is a term that my therapist and I use and is on the continuum of dissociation.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Today is officially National Caffeine Awareness Month...or should I say anti-caffeine awareness month. All of the articles that I've read seem to explain the reasons why you should quit...it is an addiction. I call it one of world's most socially acceptable drug. Please keep in mind that I love coffee and am an avid coffee fan...or is it addict. I can stop anytime...really.

The Caffeine Awareness Association, a non-profit organization, is committed to the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of the public whose lives have been affected by their misuse of, or dependency on caffeine. Our mission is to provide objective, evidence-based information and advice to help reduce the health, social, and economic harm associated with caffeine abuse and addiction.

Did you know that an average size expresso drink has less caffeine than the average brewed coffee? Or that coffee comes second only to petroleum as the world’s most widely traded commodity? Caffeine can be found in coffee, decaf coffee, tea, decaf tea, medications, chocolate, sodas, and many other sources. For a child three caffeinated sodas is equivalent to an adult drinking three cups of coffee. It takes about six hours to exit your system.

There are many risks that have been found from intaking caffeine. Some are still in testing phases. It affectes the brain in similar ways of cocaine, heroine, methamphetamines as they all produce dopamine which stimulates the please area of the brain and increases adrenaline.

So, are decaffinated items better? Even decaffinated items contain some caffeine. For coffee, some of the processes used to "decaffeinate" produce dangerous carcinogens. However, those that use "naturally decaffeinated" or "swiss water processed" are safe.

The UP side of caffeine reseach is showing that it does help prevent heart disease and asthma. It also increases the body to produce antioxidants. It increases memory, mixed with carbohydrates replenishes the body faster, decreases risks for colan cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, can stimulate hair growth in those that are balding, decreases post work out pain by 48%, wards off Alzheimers disease, eases depression, increases stamina, decreased risk for diabetes, Parkinsons disease and risk of cavities.

Research at times seems contradictory and are in the beginning stages, but there are some things that are consistent regarding the addictive effect. So, it is up to you.

If you decide to stop drinking coffee or other caffeinated items be prepared as it is a drug with withdrawl side effects. When caffeine intake is reduced, the body then becomes oversensitive to a chemical in the brain (adenosine) relevant to the sleep process, causing blood pressure to drop dramatically, producing an excess of blood in the head area (not necessarily on the brain), and leading to a headache often lasting several days.

Other withdrawal symptoms reported are fatigue and muscle pain, irritability, inability to work, nervousness, restlessness, and feeling sleepy, and in extreme cases, nausea and vomiting. Gradual reduction of caffeine intake abates these symptoms. I've had "cold turkey" withdrawl symptoms and they are horrible!!

By the way, I'm drinking my morning coffee while writing this and it is mine...all mine!! Every place of employment and my family all know that they are unable to talk to me unless I've had some coffee. I also can drink a full cup of coffee and go right to sleep. But, I'm really not addicted!!